5 royal baby protocols and traditions – but who broke the rules? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose unusual baby names while Princess Eugenie’s birth was announced on Instagram

Jun 28 , 2021

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince George and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Photos: EPA-EFE, Reuters, PA Wire

The British royal family has plenty of protocols and traditions that dictate everything from what to wear to how affectionate couples can be in public.

Of course, when it comes to new additions to the royal family – hello, Lilibet Diana and Lucas Philip – there are rules to follow too. So what are they exactly?

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No quirky names

Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and their son Archie Harrison, who, more unusually, only has one middle name. Photo: @archieharrison.mountbatten/Instagram

If you’re a member of the royal family and want to name your child X Æ A-XII à la Elon Musk, it’s probably not going to happen. The royal family have always chosen classic names over quirky or unique ones, and that’s unlikely to change any time soon.

One exception has been Harry and Meghan’s children, both given the less traditional names Archie Harrison and Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

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Not just one name – try three or four

Princess Charlotte of Cambridge’s full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, in keeping with tradition. Photo: @kensingtonroyal/Instagram

It’s common for the royal family to give their children three to four names. For example, Prince George’s full name is in fact George Alexander Louis, while Princess Charlotte’s full name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

Meghan and Harry broke tradition once again with their children, who only have one middle name each – Harrison and Diana.

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Royal births are announced on an easel in Buckingham Palace

A notice formally announcing the birth of a son to Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. Photo: Reuters

One royal tradition that has truly endured is that staff at Buckingham Palace always display an official announcement on a golden easel following the birth of a new royal baby. The document, usually signed by the palace doctors, is framed and placed in the palace grounds for the public to view. However, Harry and Meghan did break tradition with one detail when they had Archie – the doctors’ signatures were left off the document in a bid to protect the couple’s privacy.

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The birth is also announced on Instagram

The birth of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank’s son was announced by the royal family on Instagram. Photo: @theroyalfamily/ Instagram

In an effort to keep up with the times – and the royal family’s truly global fan base – the palace now also announces royal births on Instagram.

Most recently, the royal family posted a statement about Princess Eugenie’s son. This included a photo of the princess and her husband, Jack Brooksbank.

The caption read: “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie was safely delivered of a son today, 9 February 2021, at 0855 hrs at The Portland Hospital. Jack Brooksbank was present.”

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The town crier announces the birth

Town crier Tony Appleton outside St Mary’s Hospital in London announcing that the Duchess of Cambridge had given birth to a baby boy. Photo: AP

A medieval tradition still upheld by the family, the town crier also formally announces the details of a royal birth to crowds outside the hospital. The tradition, although unofficial, continues to be followed even today.

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Royal birth certificates are publicly available

Like any other baby in the UK, the royal baby’s parents must also register its birth certificate, meaning such documents are publicly available.

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Fame and celebrity

The baby name X Æ A-XII à la Elon Musk wouldn’t fly in the British royal family – Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana were already enough to cause a stir
Royal births are announced on a gold easel in Buckingham Palace, by the town crier – and nowadays on social media too